Getting gas with long trailer?

[Mondooker]

Hi guys, I looked on Utube and found diesel videos but no gas. Diesel is easy in that you can go to any truck stop, get in line and pump diesel. However, truck stops don’t have gas lanes so how do you fuel a gas truck? Certainly not unhook every time?

I don’t ever remember being at a gas station and see a guy pulling a long trailer getting gas. So what’s the answer? And if you know of a video I’d love to see it.

Thanks guys

[ReneeG]

BurbMan wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Hi Lantley, I think that’s absolutely right. Know in advance where you want to stop to fill up and Google Earth it to make sure the place is set up right. Someone said earlier if push comes to shove you can always unhook. And that’s true, a fifth wheel makes it pretty easy. But far better to find a station where that’s not necessary.

With much respect to Lantley, you are overthinking this. Stop when you need fuel and if there are choices, you go with easiest in/out. If not then you go and fuel and back out onto the road like we have all done. No need to ever unhook your trailer just to fuel,

I second this. Don't overthink it. Two things we look for 1) the height of the canopy for our FW - we have our height laminated and taped to the upper edge of the inside windshield to be able to glance at quickly and 2) easy in and out. We've never had to unhook and have, although rarely, had to drive in and back out either due to the height of the canopy or cars blocking the exit. I get out and spot hubby. It works and let me tell you, people are very accommodating when we've had to do this. Oh, and we stop and top off at places we can get in and out easily when we really don't need gas, but that gives us the leeway when we can't find a gas station to get in.

[schlep1967]

If you get into the northeast, avoid all Sheets and WAWA stations. Most of them are barely big enough to get your towing vehicle around in and all of them are busy all day with people that don't care that you are waiting to get into the only pump that you can get to.

[way2roll]

I have found the book - "The Next Exit" very helpful in figuring out en-route places that are RV friendly. It labels gas stations in Red that are RV friendly. As you mentioned, getting diesel is easier, but when we had a gas MH towing a car, it's not too far different than a truck/TT.

[thomas201]

I am just old enough to remember gas pumps at the truck islands. However,those days are gone. Some (pilot/flying J) have RV islands with gas, that is easy. The other route is what I am doing, 41 gallon gas tank in the bed. I have the tank and pump mounted, gotta run the electric and hoses. I really hate pulling the gas fill piping to cut into it. Wish me luck, if I mess up a new truck, DW will kill me.

[Lantley]

BurbMan wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
Hi Lantley, I think that’s absolutely right. Know in advance where you want to stop to fill up and Google Earth it to make sure the place is set up right. Someone said earlier if push comes to shove you can always unhook. And that’s true, a fifth wheel makes it pretty easy. But far better to find a station where that’s not necessary.

With much respect to Lantley, you are overthinking this. Stop when you need fuel and if there are choices, you go with easiest in/out. If not then you go and fuel and back out onto the road like we have all done. No need to ever unhook your trailer just to fuel,

Burbman I agree I don't believe you need to unhook. I have never unhooked to fuel up. However it been quite a few years since I towed with a gasser, but even then I never came close to unhooking.
Now, I am a big proponent of truckstops. Access is king when it comes to fuueling while towing. For me access trumps all factors including price.Lower price is no bargain if you have to fight in and out of the station. I also now have an aux. tank that keeps me from needing to refill in the Norhern,VA-DC metropolis.
Aux. tanks, extended range and truck stop access make fueling a diesel easier then fueling a gasser, however with a bit of scouting fueling a gasser is doable.

[bucky]

Get the app IExit on your phone. It's free and if you are on the interstates it will tell you ahead of time what fuel, food, etc is at the upcoming exits. For $3 it'll show you the prices although that is spotty right now with rapidly fluctuating prices,
Certain brands are always easier to get in and out of, look for them on the app. That way you aren't getting off exits for no reason.
Sheetz, Royal Farms, Bucee's, etc are always easy in and easy out. I'm sure that there are other chains out west also.
Check ahead when you take a rest stop and look at the stations online just to make sure.

[valhalla360]

Most Interchange gas stations, outside of urban areas aren't difficult. If in doubt pull it up on google maps and take a look at it.

If you aren't trying to put on 500miles in a day, try to fill up before departing. Most times we don't have to fill up while hooked up.

Used to have a diesel truck and hated using truck stops. There was always a puddle to stand in while filling and they were the high speed pumps, so you had to hold it and carefully just crack the valve open or it would splatter back on you.

[Goostoff]

I guess I have been doing this for so many years that I have forgotten that it is a bit more difficult to gas up with the trailer. I always make sure to top off before hooking up to hit the road. I always start looking for fuel at a half tank in case the station doesnt look to inviting, so I can be sure to have enough to get to the next town if needed. When we get to our destination I always make sure the truck is topped off before hooking back up. My biggest concern towing the 5th wheel is overhead clearance. We have one station that we use frequently that we can not get under one side of the pumps or the AC unit will be gone. Other side is just fine. There is a hump in the concrete where we have to swing wide and it raises the trailer on one side just enough that we cant make it.

[time2roll]

Not really a huge deal when out on the road. Look early in case it is better to pass to the next stop. Better is multiple stations so can choose the best or at least the less crowded. May have to wait a bit for the spot you want to open up.

In the middle of a city the stations can get a bit tight.

And of course if unhitched for the night by all means fill up the night before a travel day.

[BurbMan]

Mondooker wrote:
Hi Lantley, I think that’s absolutely right. Know in advance where you want to stop to fill up and Google Earth it to make sure the place is set up right. Someone said earlier if push comes to shove you can always unhook. And that’s true, a fifth wheel makes it pretty easy. But far better to find a station where that’s not necessary.

With much respect to Lantley, you are overthinking this. Stop when you need fuel and if there are choices, you go with easiest in/out. If not then you go and fuel and back out onto the road like we have all done. No need to ever unhook your trailer just to fuel,

[snowpeke]

Check out your next town for a fill up and look at it on goggle earth.

[Mondooker]

Hi Lantley, I think that’s absolutely right. Know in advance where you want to stop to fill up and Google Earth it to make sure the place is set up right. Someone said earlier if push comes to shove you can always unhook. And that’s true, a fifth wheel makes it pretty easy. But far better to find a station where that’s not necessary.

[Lantley]

Mondooker wrote:
Our trailer is 42’ long and when we go out west we put in 400 mile days. With a 48 gallon tank we will have to get gas along the way, mostly on interstates. The newer stations seem to be set up better for RV’s. But what your saying if I understand you correctly. Even though you’ll block multiple pumps. You can get gas with the trailer attached right?

You mentioned that a 40 foot gas truck can get into the station. But gas trucks don’t go to the pumps.

Don't buy into the fuel tanker gets in there nonsense.
It is much more difficult to get fuel with a gasser vs. diesel.
Gassers have less fuel range which meansthey require more fuel stops.
Truckstops and many large covenience store have seperate diesel islands with lots of access for large vehicles, however dedicated easy big rig access is not gurateed for gassers
Rfeueling a gasser is more difficult but not impossible. Google satelite view is your friend.

You will need to scope out accessible stations along your route and learn to frequent those stations.That works well when traveling to familiar regular places.
However when traveling in unchartered territory you will need to scope out stations. Before pulling in , make sure you see a path out!
Refuel without the trailer as much as possible. Use sattelite view and Next Exit book when possible.
Lastly avoid waiting until you are almost empty. Always give yourself the option to check outthe next exit down the road.

[Mondooker]

Our trailer is 42’ long and when we go out west we put in 400 mile days. With a 48 gallon tank we will have to get gas along the way, mostly on interstates. The newer stations seem to be set up better for RV’s. But what your saying if I understand you correctly. Even though you’ll block multiple pumps. You can get gas with the trailer attached right?

You mentioned that a 40 foot gas truck can get into the station. But gas trucks don’t go to the pumps.

[KD4UPL]

Use whatever gas station you want. There are very few stations that won't accommodate a trailer. You need to be careful, go slow, and know how to maneuver the trailer. Being able to back it up is a very important skill.
I've gotten fuel at all kinds of places with my Suburban towing my boat which is about 27 feet long. I also sometimes have my crew cab long bed pulling my equipment trailer that is about 30 feet long. Just take your time and wait for a good opening.
Keep in mind that all gas stations are fueled by 18 wheeler tankers; most of them with 40' or longer trailers. They are all able to get in and out so you should be too.